The United States women’s football team, led by coach Emma Hayes, delivered a dominant performance in their 4-1 victory against Germany in the Olympic football tournament on Sunday. Hayes commended her team’s devastating display and encouraged them to maintain this impressive momentum as they progress towards the knockout rounds.

Sophia Smith’s two goals in the first half, complemented by Mallory Swanson’s contribution, set the tone for the USA’s success. Lynn Williams’ late goal sealed the victory in Marseille, securing the team’s place in the quarter-finals.

“It was a mature performance. You have to suffer, of course, you do, and they are a top team, but I thought we were devastating when we needed to be,” Hayes said of her side’s second win from as many matches in Group B.

“There are still things that irritate me about us, but that is for me to fix and I say that genuinely, purely because I think we could have controlled it even more.”

The performance by the record four-time women’s football gold medalists followed a 3-0 victory against Zambia in their opening match in France.

A draw against Australia at the same Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Wednesday will secure the top position in the group. However, their goal difference advantage is such that even a defeat may not prevent them from finishing first.

The group winner will travel to Paris for a quarterfinal match on Saturday against the second-place team in Group C, which includes the highly regarded World Cup champions Spain, as well as Japan, Brazil, and Nigeria.

“I am not here to wow everyone for a game and not do it again. We have to build the momentum,” said English former Chelsea manager Hayes, who has now been in charge for only six matches.

“We have to analyze things that are in our control. And we have to win against Australia, simple as that.”

‘Dynamic as hell’

The outcome of the match on Sunday against the 2016 Olympic gold medalists undoubtedly stands as the most remarkable performance by the United States in a significant tournament since their triumph at the 2019 World Cup.

This achievement was accomplished after Hayes retained the same starting lineup from the inaugural match against Zambia, featuring a dynamic attacking trio comprised of promising young talents Smith and Trinity Rodman alongside Swanson.

The player missed the previous year's World Cup due to injury, but has already scored three goals in the first two matches of the Olympics.

“I think the front three in general were dynamic as hell, really fun to watch and most importantly they enjoyed themselves,” said Hayes.

“This is probably only game six or seven of us playing up front together but I feel like we are clicking really well, really fast. This is only about 70 per cent of what we can do,” said Smith, the Portland Thorns attacker.

Smith, aged 23, came into the spotlight during the unsuccessful World Cup campaign of the previous year, but she is now evolving into a crucial forward for the United States team. She expressed her admiration for the efforts of the new coach, Hayes.

“She is always teaching us so many things and we absolutely love Emma,” Smith said.